Many small businesses use the Internet or hire professionals in order to get started with their business. Entrepreneurs starting out believe that they can avoid serious mistakes by using someone else's knowledge and strategies. However, nothing really replaces plain old grass roots strategies. Getting out of your office and making contacts the old fashioned way has always been a reliable way to get your name out in the local community. From knocking on doors to giving out fliers, personalized contact can make a huge difference when combined with the other strategies you are using.

The kind of small business you are in will depend on what kind of doors you can knock on, but the fact remains that you can benefit by being willing to approach someone stone cold and talk about your business.

If you are going to do this then you will have to practice what's called your "elevator pitch." You need to be able to tell someone about your business and what you can do for them in the time it takes for the average elevator ride. Your basic message needs to be clear and concise so that there isn't any confusion about what your business is. By keeping your message short, you should leave your prospective customers wanting more, right?

As an example, if you are a CPA you could say, "I am a Certified Public Accountant." It fits the time frame of the elevator pitch but doesn't quite describe in detail what you do. What if you said, "I help people realize their financial goals by showing them how to be smart about asset protection strategies, taxes and other investments." Whoa! Now that's much more interesting and definitely leaves me curious. Now you tell me, which person would you call?

Also, take the time to practice so that you can rattle off your introduction without any nervousness or apprehension. Have friends or family members listen to you and give you some feedback. Ask them if what you said was clear to them. Did it catch their attention? Did they hear the conviction in your voice?

If you have a product or service that helps other businesses in your community then you can certainly go pay a visit to them. Now, besides having your elevator pitch down, you'll also need to make sure you have something to give them as well. Handing out a business card is a simple way to get your pertinent contact information out to your potential clients. Along with that, a letter or flier of introduction or a package that has a full outline of what you can do for them is also a great idea. By leaving a sample of your product or a teaser of your service, you will separate yourself from your competition.

If you think about it, the main goal of knocking on someone's door is to get to the person who can make the decision to use your product or service. But what if they are never in the office? Or there are so many layers of people between you and them that you can't find them? Sometimes you might need to think outside the box when trying to contact people. If one strategy doesn't work then simply try another one.

One association that is wonderful place to start talking with people is the Chamber of Commerce. This is an organization whose purpose is to connect local businesses and provide everyone involved with the opportunity to get better at their own chosen business by providing marketing and business seminars. It takes some of the hard work out of grass roots efforts to market yourself because by going to one event you'll potentially meet a huge amount of people.

As you can see, grass roots efforts, along with other marketing strategies can be a very powerful combination. If you are willing to take the small risk of talking to people about your business it could provide big rewards to your small business in the future.